GRACE GAZETTE
Volume XXIIssue9
/Published occasionally for mourners in Zion/
/Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble
knees;And make straight pathsfor your feet, lest that which is lame
be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.Hebrews 12::12-13/
SO GREAT FAITH
//
/When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed,
Verily I say/
/unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in
Israel.Matthew 8:10/
//
Most people think that faith is an activity of their free will.Most
would lean towards the notion that something is more likely to occur
if one just believes strongly that it will.Hence, we hear the
clichés, “keep the faith”, “faith moves mountains”, “faith conquers
all”, etc.This idea is closely tied to the concept which is at the
heart of “the power of positive thinking” which is the central theme
of modern motivational teaching.These concepts, which are quite
satisfying to the flesh, have even permeated and perverted the
understanding of many who would claim to believe the Bible and its
teachings concerning faith, some of whom would confess to being the
followers of CHRIST.
We would not undertake to overturn the natural thinking about these
matters in the rank and file who have no regard to the Word of GOD
or its teaching on the matter of faith.We will let the dead bury
their dead, nor seek to cast pearls before swine. However, we would
seek to set forth the concept of “faith” as it is taught by the
SPIRIT of GOD through the Bible, which is the written Word of
GOD.Those who are led by HIS SPIRIT, seek no other AUTHORITY than
that which is set forth in Holy Writ. When a man is awakened from
the deadness of his mind and heart by the HOLY SPIRIT, he will seek
to follow the TRUTH as it is in JESUS and can accept no substitute
for it.As the LORD JESUS said, /“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of
truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not
speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak:
and he will shew you things to come. _He shall glorify me_: for he
shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that
the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of
mine, and shall shew it unto you.” (John 16:13-15/)
We have modern day “medicine men” (i.e.; shamans, masquerading as
preachers) parading around the country and filling the air waves
with the notions that you can be healed of whatever disease you have
(whether physical or financial) by just believing that it is so.Of
course, a love gift to the “teacher” gives greater assurance that
such will be the case.The greater the amount the more effective the
“faith” becomes and when coupled with a prayer cloth or water from
the “Holy Land”, there is no limit to what one might expect.
Such notions as this are unadulterated error espoused by those who
/“Creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins,
led away with divers lusts, _Ever learning, and never able to come
to the knowledge of the truth.”_ (2Tim 3:6-7/) They have a “/form of
godliness/”, but are /“wells without water, clouds that are carried
with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.”
(2 Pet 2:17/) The Scriptures tell us that there is “/One LORD, _one
faith_, one baptism” (Eph.4:5/).This is the only “FAITH” which the
sons of GOD desire to be found in.
This is that “FAITH” which the Roman Centurion expressed upon asking
the LORD to heal his servant who was stricken with “palsy” (i.e.;
probably some form of paralysis).The LORD remarked that HE had not
seen (i.e., demonstrated or manifested in men) such “faith”, in all
of Israel.Yet here is a Roman who recognized the power and station
of the LORD JESUS, which Israel (for the most part) was blind to
see.HE characterizes this “FAITH” as being /“great/”, (i.e.,
unwavering, absolute).This Gentile, of pagan descent is able to see
something, that those to whom the “/oracles of GOD” (Rom. 3:2) /were
committed (i.e.; the Jews) would not and could not receive.
This occurrence is a demonstration of the fact that “/faith is the
gift of GOD/”.Who enabled this Roman soldier to see who this MAN,
JESUS of Nazareth is?/“Who maketh thee to differ from another and
what hast thou that thou didst not receive?” (I Cor.4:7/)Is this not
the same GIFT, which was given to the Philippian jailer, the woman
with the issue of blood, the Samaritan woman, and one of the thieves
upon the cross? /“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that
not of yourselves: _it is the gift of God._” (Eph 2:8/) This one
scripture, alone, should lay to rest any notion that men have that
“faith” as an activity of their own “free will”.
The “/FAITH/” of this Centurion, was not “great” because of the
amount of it but rather because of the “OBJECT” of it.His “/FAITH/”
was not “great”, because he was determined to ask for the LORD to
heal his servant, but rather because of his recognition that the
LORD JESUS was a MAN of Authority and Power.How did he come by this
recognition, except that the LORD revealed it to him?It was his
“/FAITH”/that moved him to ask, and it was his “/FAITH/” that gave
him the answer to his request.
When we look at the two thieves who were crucified on either side of
the LORD, we recognize that they both mocked and chided HIM.Yet in a
moment’s time, (we might say at the appointed time) one of them was
given eyes to see who HE is.Then we see him confess this “/great
FAITH”,/as he said, /“_Lord,_ remember me when thou comest into _thy
kingdom_.” (Luke 23:42/)He was enabled to behold CHRIST as the KING
of Kings, and LORD of Lords; and it was his “/FAITH/”, who said unto
him, /“Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in
paradise.” (Luke 23:43/)
Peter confessed this “/GREAT FAITH/” when the LORD asked him who he
thought the LORD JESUS was. “/Thou art the Christ, the Son of the
living God.” (Mat 16:16/) Then the LORD declared the SOURCE of
Peter’s “faith”, “/Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and
blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but _my Father which is in
heaven_.” (Mat 16:17/)Did Peter “decide” to have faith? No a
thousand times no, he merely expressed that TRUTH which was burned
into his soul by the power of a Sovereign and Holy GOD.Could such
ever be overturned? No, for the LORD said, “/upon this rock/(i.e.;
not Peter, but that “/GREAT FAITH/” which Peter expressed) /I will
build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against
it.” (Mat 16:18/)
Abraham is often held up as the “father of the faithful”, and well
he is.Three different times in the NT (Rom.4:3; Gal.3:6; James 2:23)
we read that /“Abraham _believed GOD_/” and righteousness was laid
to his account (i.e.; imputed to him).The scripture does not say
that Abraham’s _activity of faith_, was the basis of this
imputation.Rather the scripture says that “Abraham believed _GOD_”,
not simply that he believed.The basis of this imputation was due to
the OBJECT of his FAITH.The FAITH of GOD’s elect is not an activity
but rather the PERSON of the LORD JESUS CHRIST.HE is our FAITH.Upon
this ROCK is our HOPE.HE is the /GREAT FAITH/of HIS people./“For the
scripture saith, Whosoever believeth _on him_ shall not be ashamed.”
(Rom 10:11/)
CHRIST is the FAITH of all of HIS children.It does not matter if
they are weak (as judged by men) or strong, their FAITH faileth
not.When there seems to be a flicker of a flame which may simply
seem to smolder, or there is that which burneth with white hot heat,
the FAITH is the same and the activity of faith stems from the same
SOURCE./“A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax
shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.” (Isa
42:3/) /“Now thanks be unto God, _which always causeth us to triumph
in Christ_, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in
every place.” (2 Cor 2:14/)
What various ways do men invent, To give the conscience ease!
Some say, Believe; and some, Repent; And some say, Strive to please.
But, brethren, _Christ, and Christ alone, Can rightly do the thing_;
Nor ever can the way be known, Till he salvation bring.
What mean the men that say, Believe, And let repentance go?
What comfort can the soul receive That never felt its woe?
Christ says, “That I might sinners call To penitence, I’m sent;”
And, “Likewise ye shall perish all, Except ye do repent.”
Those who are called by grace divine Believe, but not alone;
Repentance to their faith they join, And so go safely on.
But should repentance, or should faith, Should both deficient seem,
Jesus gives both, the Scripture saith; Then ask them both of him.
(by J.Hart, #240, Gadsby’s)mam
